Angels Look to Rebound Against Oakland

After dropping last night’s game to the A’s 4-5, the Angels look to even the three game set today. Lefty Jose Suarez (7-7, 3.59 ERA) is on the bump for the Angels. Suarez has pitched three times against Oakland but only started against them once. In total, he has a 3.27 ERA, going 11.0 IP and allowing 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and 11 Ks.

Suarez has pitched better away (3.18 ERA in 51.0 IP) vs at home (4.26 ERA in 31.2 IP) but will look to continue his recent trend of success tonight (in September 1.23 ERA in 14.2 IP with an OBA of .160).

On the other side, the A’s send Daulton Jeffereis (1-0, 3.60 ERA) to the mound as the Athletics look to keep their postseason aspirations alive (2.5 games back of the 2nd Wildcard spot). Jefferies’ only start of the year of the season, so far, came against the Angels where he went 5.0 IP allowing 3 runs (5.40 ERA), 3 walks, and 3 Ks.

Unlike Suarez, Jefferies has been better at home (2.70 ERA in 6.2 IP) than on the road (4.32 ERA in 8.1 IP). Hopefully the differences between the two will even out in the Angels favor. Here’s the lineup that will look to get the win for the Halos:

The Angels have struggled against the A’s all season going 4-12 in the season series coming into tonight. The last time the Angels posted a winning record against the A’s was 2018 where they were 10-9.

The Angels have gone 6-8 in the month of September while scoring 49 runs and allowing 60. As their season comes to an end, with 14 games remaining, they look to finish above .500 (currently 72-75) and put themselves in a good position for next year.

Angels News and Notes:

• Reid Detmers threw a sim game today and Maddon said that he’s scheduled to rejoin the active rotation in a week. Austin Warren, who was also on the COVID list, faced hitters and is expected back Monday.
• The Angels optioned Jhonathan Diaz to AAA and recalled Cooper Criswell.
• White Sox pitcher Mike Wright has been suspended for 3 games after he hit Shohei Ohtani on Thursday; but he is appealing. Here’s the sequence:

Manager Tony La Russa has also been suspended for 1 game; he cannot appeal.